Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-11-19

| about two feet between the ropes and
all hang on a dead level.
} At l1:10
THE JURY
fell in and took their places in the
double row of chairs reserved in front
| of the press tables. The spectators, of
| whom there are less than 200, are ad-
mitted to the a altogether the cor
ridor is not half filed. The cells on
the first floor and the ~ upper tiers
have been emp,ied Of their occupants.
The gathering is quiet and decorous.
Intense silence prevails. AT ll:4S it is
as though
EVERY HEART STOOD STILL,
as If the blood was CONCEALED in the
veins of the spectators. The names OF
the Jurors are called and each rises and
responds. A weird, gruesome wall
breaks the stiffness. but it is only the
pet jail cat, which is taken out through
the barred windows directly back of
the scaffold. A score Of armed men
are visible, but as motioniess as stat
ues; their guns at shoulders, the muz-
zles bearing directly on the gallows.
At 1:53 it WAS reported that the
sheriff was holding off until the
last moment, expecting something
would be heard from Springfield.
BEGINNING OF II LAST SCENE.
The shutting of feet is heard in the
corridor. The moment has arrived.
Ii is 11:49 to the minute. The white
face of Deputy Sheriff Gleason is seen
at the entrance of the corridor. he is
trembling in every limb. He raises
his hand. Sheriff Matson appears, his
back to the spectators. He is facing
the procession. Spies comes in view,
the broad s%houldered bailitf on the
right. Next comes Fischer, then
Engel All three step from
the second tier cells to the scatfold.
The spectators drew "a long breath.
PARSONS Is SAVED,
is the word that goes round, but it is
NOT to be so, The four men are placed
upon the trap. All are CHASTITY pale.
Parsons sets his teeth firmly and looks
Down calmly ON the crowd beneath.
Els face seems as il carved in iron.
! q murmur Of admiration for his I'M
linching nerve went through the spec
tators. Engel joked with the deputy
( sheriff. Next 10 him and Fischer was
Spies, who maintained a stohd and
dignitied demeanor, but it was the look
of unutterable woe On the face of the
ex-editor which pierced the hearts OF
those about him.
THE NOOSES wER ADJUSTED
without any demonstration from the
condemned. They mean to die game.
Spies made a request that the cap he
not drawn over his eyes, but it was not
granted just before the fatal no
ment, clear and distinct comes the
voice of Spies; his form straighted us
rs he said:
Our silence is more powerful than
speech" That was all, but there was
- ring 10 it that the others, far away
down tie corridors felt. Silence again
prevailed for o second, then in a round
full tone, "Hurrah for anarchy" comes
from Engel
Another pause. This IL the happi-
est moalent of my life" says Fischer.
Then the clear modul&&ed voice OF Par.
sons breaks the silence. He said:
Shall l be allowed to speak, Oh,
men and women CT dear America
Sheriff Matson h~esitases.
'Let me speak, Sheriff Matson,'
says arsons. .Let the 'Toice of the
people be heard" But down went
the trap. The last 1gorde of Parsons
died upon his lips. The four bodies
swing IN the empty air and the law
was satisfied.
This drop fell at II ;65. From the
firsts.ep of Spies upon the scaffold un-
til the cutting of the rope, precisely
six riinutes and 1hree seconds had
elapsed. For a moment after the
death trap fell, not p soul stirred. AS
II moved by one common Impulse,
every man rose and all eyes were
rivetod on the bedy Of Spies. A low
! groan of horror came frons many lips
and 6D expression, -ile is, dying hard
was heard ON all sides. Il was thought
he was alive and struggling to free
himself from the cords that bound him.
This continued for over n minute, An
hour it seemed to be, the struggles
growing fainter Uatil they finally
ceased. Parsons alone dieG as though
his heArt had been pierced b. q bullet.
There was not a witch, no. u single
contraction of the muscles. His neck
had been broken instantly. All the
others evidently slowly stpangled to
death.